Exercise equipment handle grips

ABSTRACT

The device is an exercise equipment hand grip that can be removeably installed on a piece of exercise equipment. The hand grip permits the user to maintains an open grip of the hand. The hand grip can be a soft visco-elastic, urethane, close cell foam, rubber or similar material. The hand grip has a generally cylindrical shape where one end of the cylinder has a larger circumference than the other end. The device thereby has a cone like shape with the narrow end held at the thumb side of the palm and the larger diameter end fits at the side of the palm. The holder includes a lengthwise opening that allows the holder to be placed over the bar grips of numerous exercise equipment and devices such as handles on weight machines, bar bells, dumb bells and EZ curl bars.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and benefit of provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/838,569 entitled “Exercise Equipment HandleGrips” and filed Aug. 17, 2006. This provisional application isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Use

The device subject of this disclosure pertains to shaped hand grips thatenhance the development of muscle.

2. Existing Technology

Numerous weight and lifting machines exist.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The device is an exercise equipment hand holder apparatus that maintainsan open grip of the hand of the user. The holder can be a softvisco-elastic, urethane, close cell foam, rubber or similar material.The holder has a generally cylindrical shape where one end of thecylinder has a larger circumference. The device has an interior annulusthat allows the device to fit over bar grips or other exercise equipmentcomponents. The holder includes a lengthwise opening that allows theholder to be placed over the bar grips of numerous exercise equipmentand devices. This application incorporates by reference herein theprovisional application Ser. No. 60/709,286 filed Nov. 3, 2005 entitled“Elastic Exercise Grips to Attach to Resistive Exercise Equipment”.

SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of theinvention. These drawings, together with the general description of theinvention given above and the detailed description of the preferredembodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view (first end) of the hand grip and the innerannulus.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the hand grip and annulus.Also illustrated is the tapered shape of the device as it extends from afirst end (FIG. 1) to the wider second end of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates the wider second end. The inner annulus retains thesame approximate diameter.

FIG. 4 illustrates the placement of the device on dumbbells.

FIG. 5 illustrates placement of the device on a bar bell.

FIG. 6 illustrates the placement of the device on an EZ curl bar.

FIG. 7 illustrates the hand grip placed on an exercise machine handle.

FIG. 8 illustrates as side view of the hand grip, including the narrowfirst end and the wider second end including the side slit for insertingthe holder on the exercise equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The above general description and the following detailed description aremerely illustrative of the subject invention and additional modes,advantages and particulars of this invention will be readily suggestedto those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

The device subject of this disclosure relates to a hand grip that can beinstalled on exercise equipment such as dumbbells, weight bars, EZ curlbars or exercise machine handles. One advantage of the device(hereinafter “hand grips”) is that the hand grips increase thecircumference of the device to be grasped and held by the user's hand.This opens the user's grip when exercising.

The increased circumference achieved from installation of the hand gripsis advantageous. The increased circumference spreads the grip of thehand to a more open position. This causes the user to use more force tohold the exercise device without any change in the weight of the device.Exercising with the devices achieves greater finger, hand, and forearmstrength with increased muscularity. The purpose of opening the handgrip is to fatigue the muscles in the fingers, hands, and forearms morequickly and more thoroughly than when compared to gripping a standardexercise bar (typically 1 inch diameter or 28 to 30 mm). The use of thehand grips will force the muscles in the fingers, hand and forearms togrow stronger and larger to adapt to the increased force required togrip the bar or handle. The hand grip subject of the invention forcesthe grip, forearm and biceps to work harder with no increase in thenumber exercise sets being performed, increase in weights or the timespent working out.

Another advantage of the hand grips is that they can be made of soft,pliable material such as a visco-elastic, urethane or close cell foam.The hand grips may provide a cushioned surface for the user's hand. Thehand grip material is able to yield and form around the palm and fingerswhen squeezed while exercising. This creates a more secure grip as theuser has an increased surface area to grip with his/her hand. The rubberlike material of the hand grip yields as the user squeezes (grips) tohold onto the bar or handle. This forms a no slip bond with the handleand the bar. The hand grip both opens the grip of the hand and issqueezable.

The annulus and lengthwise split of the hand grip permits the device tofit over varying sized equipment. For example, the hand grip can be usedwith a 1 inch to 1¼ inch diameter bar.

For example, the hand grip facilitates a reverse curl grip withdumbbells. Starting with the dumbbells in a reverse curl grip, slowlyreverse curl the dumbbells up and rotate the dumbbells 180 degrees tothe finish at the top of the curl. On the negative portion of therepetition repeat the same motion down. The positive and negativeportions of the repetition are to be done slowly and in completecontrol. This maneuver or exercise feels very awkward without the handgrip subject of the invention. The increased gripping area and resultingcontrol makes this a great exercise.

The hand grip will be beneficial to persons involved in sports thatrequire excellent hand and finger strength. Examples include rockclimbing, martial arts, baseball, football, basketball, bodybuilding,tennis and golf. Another group that would benefit would be personsinvolved in highly demanding activities such as those serving in theUnited States Armed Forces, police officers, firemen, and emergencymedical personnel.

In one embodiment, the hand grips may be manufactured using a plasticinjection molding machine. The material used in manufacturing the handgrips may be a soft rubber like material. In a preferred embodiment, thehand grip includes 1 to 1⅛ inch outside diameter (OD) hole or annulus inthe center. The annulus extends longitudinally from the small end to thewide end of the hand grip. The hand grip also has a split or opening onone side that allows the hand grip to be spread apart to fit over astandard 1″ OD exercise barbell, dumbbell handle, or exercise machinehandle. It will be appreciated that the hand grip may be removed fromthe equipment when the user is finished and the hand grip placed onother equipment. The removal of the hand grip enhances sanitation ofexercise equipment.

The hand grips are designed to be wider at one end, for example 2 inchesin an outer diameter (first end) than the other end, for example 2½inches at a second end. This forms a conical shape.

FIG. 1 illustrates an end view of the first end of the hand gripcomprising an outer component 112 of a soft, pliable material such as avisco-elastic, urethane or close cell foam. Also illustrated is an innerannulus 117. The diameter of the annulus may remain relatively constantfor the length of the device. See FIG. 2. The length of the hand gripmay be 4½ inches. Other lengths are within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1.The outer diameter of the hand grip 110 expands from the first end 111to the second end 112. FIG. 2 also illustrates the cross-sectional viewof the device as shown from the second end (FIG. 3). In one example, theouter diameter of the first end is 2 inches and expands to 2½ inches atthe second end. Note that in this example, the diameter of the annulus117 remains constant at 1⅛ inches.

Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is the split or slit 115 that extends throughthe length and thickness of the hand grip 110 to the annulus 117. Asexplained elsewhere, this allows the device to be open longitudinally tobe placed over a piece of exercise equipment such as a handle on aweight machine or a weight bar.

The hand grip is held in the grip of the user's hand. The wider handgrip end (second end) is held at the bottom of the user's palm, with thenarrower end (first end) held against the thumb end of the palm. Thisdesign allows the bar or handle to be held more squarely or securely inthe palm of the hand. This includes better balance and set straight.This is a more ergonomically correct position in the palm of the hand.The design also forces the fingers to be spread more open whencontrasted with holding a bar or handle not using the grips.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view (first end) of the hand grip showing a 2inch outside diameter and the inner annulus 117 having a 1⅛ inchdiameter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the hand holder 110 and theannulus 117. Also illustrated is the tapered shape of the device as itextends from a first end to the wider second end. Also illustrated isthe side slit 115 used to open the conical shaped handle for placementon an exercise bar.

FIG. 3 illustrates the second end of the hand grip wherein the outsidediameter is illustrated 2½ inches. The inner annulus 117 retains thesame approximate 1 inch to 1⅛ inch diameter.

FIG. 4 illustrates the placement of the hand grips 110 on dumbbells 201.The hand grips are placed on the connecting bar 200. The bars have anapproximate equal outer diameter than other exercise equipment. Notethat the split 115 extending the length of the hand grip may be used tofit the hand grip on the bar.

FIG. 5 illustrates placement of the hand grips 110 on a bar bell 203.The grips are place at the hand hold position of the user.

FIG. 6 illustrates the placement of the hand grips 110 on an EZ curl bar204.

FIG. 7 illustrates the hand holder 110 placed on a handle 207 of anexercise machine pulling device 205. Also illustrated is the rope of thepulling device.

FIG. 8 illustrates as side view of the hand grip 110, including thenarrow first end 111 and the wider second end 113 including the sideslit 115 for inserting the holder on the exercise equipment 200.

This specification is to be construed as illustrative only and is forthe purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of carryingout the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of theinvention herein shown and described are to be taken as the presentlypreferred embodiments. As already stated, various changes may be made inthe shape, size and arrangement of components or adjustments made in thesteps of the method without departing from the scope of this invention.For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for thoseillustrated and described herein and certain features of the inventionmay be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as wouldbe apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of thisdescription of the invention.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of this invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this specification.

1. A removable exercise equipment hand grip apparatus creating anincreased diameter for an open grip of the user's hand comprising: a) asoft visco-elastic, urethane, close cell foam, rubber or similarmaterial having a generally cylindrical shape with a first end and asecond end wherein the second has a larger circumference than the firstend; and b) the hand grip further comprising an opening along the lengthof the hand grip and extending to an annulus within the hand gripextending from the first end to the second end.
 2. The hand grip ofclaim 1 wherein the hand grip may be installed over the handle ofexercise equipment causing the equipment handle to be cushioned and thecircumference of the equipment to be grasped by a user's hand isincreased.
 3. The hand grip of claim 1 further comprising the user'spalm opposite the thumb grasping the larger circumference of the handgrip.
 4. The hand grip of claim 1 wherein the first end has a diameterof approximately 2 inches and the second end has a diameter ofapproximately 2½ inches and the annulus has a diameter of approximately1 to 1⅛ inch.
 5. A removable exercise equipment hand grip dimensioned tofit over an exercise equipment bar comprising: a) a hand grip having afirst end and a second end comprising a side opening to an annulus ofthe hand grip that can fit over a hand hold of exercise equipment; b)the hand grip further comprising a rubber or visco-elastic material; andc) the hand grip wherein the length between the first end and the secondend is at least 4 inches.
 6. The hand grip of claim 5 further comprisinga first end having an outside diameter of approximately 2 inches and asecond end having an outside diameter of approximately 2½ inches.
 7. Aremovable cone shaped, flexible urethane hand grip that opens and fitsas a sleeve over dumbbell handles, barbells, EZ curl bars, or exercisemachine handles and further comprising the user holding a largerdiameter end of the grip with the side of the palm opposite the thumb.8. The hand grip of claim 7 further comprising opening the grip of theuser's hand when using exercise equipment.
 9. The hand grip of claim 7wherein the user's hand grip is caused to be more open while using theexercise equipment, thereby requiring increased finger, forearm, wristand bicep strength to control the exercise equipment.
 10. The hand gripof claim 7 comprising the user to hold the equipment more securely andsquarely.